Technical Circular

No.: 014/2015 Date: 4th June 2015

To Whomsoever it may concern

Subject: Carriage of Blends of Petroleum Oil and Biofuels on Tankers.

1. Guidelines contained in MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1 of date 1 February 2013, issued by IMO (copy attached) regarding carriage requirements of blends of petroleum oil and biofuels clarify how biofuels subject to Annex II of MARPOL, when blended with petroleum oils referred in Annex I of MARPOL, can be shipped in bulk.

The guidelines clarify that Biofuel blends based on the volumetric compositions of the blends are subject to MARPOL Annexes as under: i. When containing 75 % or more of petroleum oil, the biofuel blend is subject to Annex I of MARPOL and also referred in Section 4.1 of the MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1.

ii. When containing more than 1 per cent but less than 75% of petroleum oil, the biofuel blends are subject to Annex II of MARPOL and should be carried under conditions as detailed in Section 4.2 of the MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1.

iii. When containing 1 per cent or less of petroleum oil, the biofuel blends are subject to Annex II of MARPOL and also referred in Section 4.3 of the MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1.

2. Further to the above Circular, IMO has adopted vide Resolution MEPC.240(65) of date 17th May 2013 Amendments to the revised Guidelines and Specifications for Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control Systems for Oil Tankers Res. MEPC 108(49) (copy attached). In the type approval test “Biofuel” is added and reference is made also to the latest ISO standards. The amendments to the revised Guidelines and specifications provide for testing of the Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME) for capability to detect the biofuel blends containing 75 percent or more of petroleum oil.

3. Section 4.1.2 of the Rev 1 of the MEPC.1/Circ.761 recommends that an oil tanker carrying biofuel blends containing 75percent or more of petroleum oil will be required to carry ODME which should be approved for the mixture being transported. Based on above all ODME newly approved will have to comply with MEPC.108(49) as amended by MEPC.240 (65).

4. Also, from January 1, 2016, the oil tankers which intend to carry the bio-fuel blend containing 75 per cent or more of petroleum oil, the ship's ODME should be in compliance with MEPC.240 (65). If not, the ODME should be replaced with a compliant one.

. This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. . While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.

5. Further to the above in accordance with Section 4.1.4 of the Revised Guidelines as referred in Rev 1 of the MEPC.1/Circ.761 undermentioned requirement will also be applicable: When carrying biofuel blends containing more than 5% of ethyl alcohol, alcohol resistant foams should be used when considering the deck fire-fighting system requirements of SOLAS chapter II-2, regulations 1.6.1 and 1.6.2.

6. This circular is being issued to bring to the notice of all Ship-owners, ship-operators & Ship-managers, that if their tankers are intending to carry biofuel blends from January 1, 2016, the ODME fitted should be approved as per MEPC 108 (49) as amended by MEPC.240 (65) for each individual biofuel blend containing 75% or more of petroleum oil being transported. .

Enclosure: 1) MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1 dated 1st February 2013

2) MEPC.240 (65) adopted on 17th May 2013

Whilst the utmost care has been taken in the compilation of the Technical Information, neither Indian Register of Shipping, its affiliates and subsidiaries if any, nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents assume any responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused in any manner whatsoever by reliance on the information in this document.

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4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT LONDON SE1 7SR Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210

MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1 1 February 2013

2011 GUIDELINES FOR THE CARRIAGE OF BLENDS OF PETROLEUM OIL AND BIOFUELS, AS AMENDED

1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its sixty-second session (11 to 15 July 2011), recognizing the need to clarify how biofuels subject to MARPOL Annex II, when blended with petroleum oils, subject to Annex I of MARPOL, can be shipped in bulk, approved the 2011 Guidelines for the carriage of blends of petroleum oil and biofuels and agreed that these should become operative from 1 September 2011.

2 At its sixty-fourth session (1 to 5 October 2012), the Marine Environment Protection Committee approved amendments to the 2011 Guidelines, as set out in annex 3 of document BLG 16/16, relating to deck fire-fighting system requirements and the fire protection assignment (column l) given for the entry "Biofuel blends of Gasoline and Ethyl alcohol (>25% but <99% by volume)".

3 The 2011 Guidelines have accordingly been amended as set out in the annex.

4 Member Governments and international organizations are invited to bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of Administrations, recognized organizations, port authorities, shipowners, ship operators and other parties concerned.

5 This circular revokes MEPC.1/Circ.761.

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MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1 Annex, page 1

ANNEX

2011 GUIDELINES FOR THE CARRIAGE OF BLENDS OF PETROLEUM OIL AND BIOFUELS, AS AMENDED

1 APPLICATION

1.1 These guidelines apply to ships when carrying in bulk blends of petroleum oil and biofuels subject to Annex I and Annex II of MARPOL, respectively.

2 SCOPE

2.1 These Guidelines have been developed to clarify how biofuels subject to Annex II of MARPOL, when blended with petroleum oils, subject to Annex I of MARPOL, can be shipped in bulk.

3 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of these guidelines:

3.1 Biofuels are ethyl alcohol, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), vegetable oils (triglycerides) and alkanes (C10-C26), linear and branched with a flashpoint of either 60°C or less or more than 60°C, as identified in chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC Code or the MEPC.2/Circular/tripartite agreements. Following the distribution of these guidelines, further biofuels identified as falling under the scope of the guidelines, will be recorded in annex 11 of the MEPC.2/Circular which deals with biofuel/petroleum oil blends.

3.2 Biofuel blends are mixtures resulting from the blending of those products identified in paragraph 3.1 above with a petroleum oil.

4 CARRIAGE OF BIOFUEL BLENDS

The carriage provision for biofuel blends is based on the volumetric composition of the blends as follows:

4.1 Biofuel blends containing 75 per cent or more of petroleum oil

4.1.1 When containing 75 per cent or more of petroleum oil, the biofuel blend is subject to Annex I of MARPOL.

4.1.2 When carrying such biofuel blends, Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME – see resolution MEPC.108(49)) shall be in compliance with regulation 31 of Annex I of MARPOL and should be approved for the mixture being transported.

4.1.3 Until 1 January 2016 biofuel blends may be carried when the ship's ODME is not in compliance with paragraph 4.1.2 above provided that tank residues and all tank washings are pumped ashore.

4.1.4 When considering the deck fire-fighting system requirements of SOLAS chapter II-2, regulations 1.6.1 and 1.6.2, when carrying biofuel blends containing more than 5 per cent of ethyl alcohol then alcohol resistant foams should be used.

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MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1 Annex, page 2

4.2 Biofuel blends containing more than 1 per cent but less than 75% of petroleum oil

4.2.1 When containing more than 1 per cent but less than 75% of petroleum oil, the biofuel blends are subject to Annex II of MARPOL and should be carried under the following conditions:

a c d e f g h i' i'' i''' j k l n o Biofuel blends of Diesel/gas X S/P 2 2G Cont No - - Yes C T ABC No 15.12, oil and FAME 15.17, (>25% but <99% by volume) 15.19.6 Biofuel blends of Diesel/gas X S/P 2 2G Cont No - - Yes C T ABC No 15.12, oil and Vegetable oil 15.17, (>25% but <99% by volume) 15.19.6 Biofuel blends of Gasoline X S/P 2 2G Cont No T3 IIA No C F-T A No 15.12, and Ethyl alcohol 15.17, (>25% but <99% by volume) 15.19.6 Biofuel blends of Diesel/gas X S/P 2 2G Cont No - - Yes C T ABC No 15.12, oil and Alkanes (C10-C26), 15.17, linear and branched with a 15.19.6 flashpoint > 60oC (>25% but <99% by volume) Biofuel blends of Diesel/gas X S/P 2 2G Cont No T3 IIA No C F-T ABC No 15.12, oil and Alkanes (C10-C26), 15.17, linear and branched with a 15.19.6 flashpoint ≤ 60oC (>25% but <99% by volume)

4.2.2 With respect to new biofuels identified as falling under the scope of these guidelines, carriage requirements for specific biofuel/petroleum oil blends to be shipped as MARPOL Annex II cargoes will be incorporated into List 1 of the MEPC.2/Circular, as appropriate.

4.3 Biofuel blends containing 1 per cent or less petroleum oil

4.3.1 When containing 1 per cent or less of petroleum oil, the biofuel blends are subject to Annex II of MARPOL.

5 BLENDING OF PETROLEUM OIL AND BIOFUEL ON BOARD

5.1 Blending on board describes the mixing of two products resulting in one single product (a blended mixture) and reflects only physical mixing as distinct from any chemical processing. Such mixing operations should only be undertaken whilst the ship is within port limits.

5.2 The physical blending on board of petroleum oil and biofuels during a sea voyage to create new products is prohibited as indicated in MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.8 – Prohibition of blending MARPOL cargoes on board during the sea voyage.

6 CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

6.1 The certification for the biofuel blend to be shipped should be in compliance with Annex I or Annex II of MARPOL, as appropriate.

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ANNEX 30

RESOLUTION MEPC.240(65)

Adopted on 17 May 2013

2013 AMENDMENTS TO THE REVISED GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR OIL DISCHARGE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR OIL TANKERS (RESOLUTION MEPC.108(49))

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution,

NOTING resolution MEPC.108(49) by which the Committee adopted the Revised Guidelines and Specifications for Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control Systems for Oil Tankers,

NOTING ALSO that the revised was adopted by resolution MEPC.117(52) and entered into force on 1 January 2007,

HAVING CONSIDERED, at its sixty-fifth session, proposed amendments to the Revised Guidelines and Specifications for Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control Systems for Oil Tankers, prepared by the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases at is seventeenth session,

1. ADOPTS the 2013 Amendments to the Revised Guidelines and Specifications for Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control Systems for Oil Tankers, the text of which is set out in the annex to this resolution;

2. RECOMMENDS Governments to apply the annexed amendments when approving oil discharge monitoring and control systems being installed under regulation 31 of MARPOL Annex I on oil tankers constructed on or after 1 January 2005.

* * *

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MEPC 65/22/Add.1 Annex 30, page 2

ANNEX

2013 AMENDMENTS TO THE REVISED GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR OIL DISCHARGE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR OIL TANKERS

REVISED GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR OIL DISCHARGE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR OIL TANKERS

1 In the Table of Contents, a new entry 3.7 is added, as follows:

"3.7 Bio-fuels"

2 In paragraphs 1.1.1 and 1.1.2.1, the references "regulation 15(3)(a) of Annex I of MARPOL" are replaced by the references "regulation 31 of MARPOL Annex I.

3 Paragraph 1.1.3 is replaced by the following:

"1.1.3 These Guidelines and Specifications also apply to oil content monitoring systems used for monitoring each individual bio-fuel blend containing 75 per cent or more of petroleum oil, carried in accordance with paragraph 4.1 of MEPC.1/Circ.761. Wherever in these Guidelines and Specifications reference is made to oil being monitored, this applies likewise to bio-fuel blends."

4 In paragraph 2.1, the references "Annex I of MARPOL" and "regulation 15(3)(a)" are replaced by the references "MARPOL Annex I " and "regulation 31", respectively.

5 In paragraph 2.2, the references "regulation 15" and "regulation 9(1)(a)" are replaced by the references "regulation 31" and "regulation 34.1", respectively.

6 In section 3, a new definition is added, as follows:

"3.7 Bio-fuels

Bio-fuels are products as recorded in annex 11 of the MEPC.2/Circular which are intended for blending with petroleum oil and may be shipped as blends in accordance with MEPC.1/Circ.761, as amended."

7 A new paragraph 5.7 is added, as follows:

"5.7 Manufacturer recommended spares for the ODME should be carried to ensure the operation of the equipment."

8 The existing paragraph 5.7 is renumbered as paragraph 5.8.

9 In paragraph 6.1.1, the reference "regulation 18" is replaced by the reference "regulation 30".

10 The footnote associated with paragraph 6.1.6 is replaced by the following:

" As specified in IEC publication 92 or an equivalent standard acceptable to the administration."

11 In paragraph 6.8.2, the references "regulation 9(1)(a)(iv) and (v)" are replaced by the references "regulation 31.1.4 and 31.1.5".

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12 The chapeau of paragraph 6.11.1 and subparagraph .1 is replaced by the following:

"6.11.1 The alternative means of obtaining information in the event of a failure in the monitoring system should follow the requirements in MARPOL Annex I, regulation 31.4 and the operational manual as approved by the Administrations and should be as follows:

.1 oil content meter or sampling system: location and measurement of the oil/water interface using the equipment as required in regulation 32, visual observation of the surface of the water adjacent to the effluent discharge and recording the relevant data for the discharge accurately in the Oil Record Book Part II in sections H and I;".

13 In the footnote associated with subparagraph 6.12.2, the reference "regulation 9(1)(a)(5)" is replaced by the reference "regulation 34.1.5".

14 In paragraph 7.2.2, after the words "white products", insert the words ", individual biofuel blends".

15 In subparagraph 8.3.3, the references "regulations 9(1)(a)(iv) and (v)" are replaced by the references "regulations 34.1.4 and 34.1.5".

ANNEX, PART 1 – TEST AND PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR TYPE APPROVAL OF OIL CONTENT METERS

16 In the table under paragraph 1.2.6, under the column "Parameters Tolerance" and row "6", the text "RMG 35 Parameters as per ISO 8217:1996 (table 2)" is replaced by the following text:

"RMG 35 Parameters as per ISO 8217:2010/Corr 1:2011 (tables 1 and 2)"

17 In paragraph 1.2.7, the reference standard "ISO 8217:1996 (table 1)" is replaced by the referenced standard "ISO 8217:2010/Corr 1:2011 (tables 1 and 2)".

18 New paragraph 1.2.8 is added, as follows:

"1.2.8 If the meter is to be considered suitable for an individual biofuel blend containing 75 per cent or more of petroleum oil, it should also be tested against each such substance for which approval is required, in a manner similar to the tests set out in paragraphs 1.2.5 and 1.2.6. The high shear pump shown in figure 1 should be kept in operation at high speed during this test to assist in dissolving the appropriate fraction of the substance in the water stream."

19 New paragraph 1.2.9 is added, as follows:

"1.2.9 Individual Biofuel blends should be tested at 75 per cent and 99 per cent petroleum oil."

20 The existing paragraphs 1.2.8 to 1.2.19 are renumbered as paragraphs 1.2.10 to 1.2.21.

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APPENDIX, CERTIFICATE OF TYPE APPROVAL FOR OIL CONTENT METERS INTENDED FOR MONITORING THE DISCHARGE OF OIL-CONTAMINATED WATER FROM THE CARGO TANK AREAS OF OIL TANKERS

21 Under the "The oil content meter is acceptable for the following applications:", the text "*Oil-like noxious liquid substances, other products, or applications, listed below" is replaced by the following:

"* Individual biofuel blends containing 75 per cent or more of petroleum oil, other products, or applications, listed below"

APPENDIX, TEST DATA AND RESULTS OF TESTS CONDUCTED ON AN OIL CONTENT METER IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART 1 OF THE ANNEX TO THE GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN IMO RESOLUTION MEPC.108(49)

22 The table for "OIL LIKE noxious liquid substances, other products or applications" is deleted, and tables for "INDIVIDUAL BIOFUEL BLENDS AND CONCENTRATIONS" and "OTHER PRODUCTS OR APPLICATIONS" are added, as follows:

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INDIVIDUAL BIOFUEL BLENDS AND CONCENTRATIONS

READINGS (ppm) Indicated Measured Grab REMARKS sample Bio-Fuel Blend …………… …………… …………… 75% Petroleum Oil Name of Bio-fuel and petroleum oil components ………………… % …………………. % ………………… 15 …………… …………… …………… 100 …………… …………… …………… 90% M.F.S.V. = …………… …………… …………… RECORDED ZERO …………… RE-ZERO YES/NO TIME mins RECALIBRATE YES/NO** TIME mins CLEAN YES/NO** …………… …………… …………… TIME mins Bio-Fuel Blend 99% Petroleum Oil Name of Bio-fuel and petroleum oil components ………………… % …………………. % ………………… 15 …………… …………… …………… 100 …………… …………… …………… 90% M.F.S.V. = …………… …………… …………… RECORDED ZERO …………… RE-ZERO YES/NO** TIME mins RECALIBRATE YES/NO** TIME mins CLEAN YES/NO** TIME mins

RESPONSE TIMES Seconds First detectable reading …………………………. 63 ppm ………………………….1 90 ppm …………………………. Stabilized maximum reading or 100 ….. ppm …………………………. ppm First detectable drop ………………………… 37 ppm …………………………2 10 ppm ………………………… Stabilized minimum reading ….. ppm ………………………… RESPONSE TIME = 1+ 2 = ………………………… 2

 This page should be included in the certificate only if the oil content meter has been tested against bio-fuel blends.  Delete as appropriate.

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OTHER PRODUCTS OR APPLICATIONS

READINGS (ppm) Indicated Measured Grab REMARKS sample Name of product …………… …………… …………… ………………… 15 …………… …………… …………… 100 …………… …………… …………… 90% M.F.S.V. = …………… …………… …………… RECORDED ZERO …………… RE-ZERO YES/NO TIME Mins RECALIBRATE YES/NO** TIME Mins CLEAN YES/NO** …………… …………… …………… TIME Mins Name of product ………………… 15 …………… …………… …………… 100 …………… …………… …………… 90% M.F.S.V. = …………… …………… …………… RECORDED ZERO …………… RE-ZERO YES/NO** TIME Mins RECALIBRATE YES/NO** TIME Mins CLEAN YES/NO** TIME Mins

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 This page should be included in the certificate only if the oil content meter has been tested against other products and applications substances.  Delete as appropriate.

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